then by the law that when I would do good euill is present with me 22. For I delight in the law of God concerning the inner man Mal. 3. 17. I will spare them as a man spareth his son that reuerenceth him 7 When one sinne is forgiuen all the rest are remitted also for remission being giuen once without any prescription of time is giuen for euer Rom. 11. 29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance Act. 10. 43. To him also giue all the Prophets witnesse that through his name all that beleeue in him shall receiue remission of sinnes 8 That grace and faith are not taken away by fals of infirmitie but thereby are declared and made manifest Rom. 5. 20. Moreouer the law entred thereupon that the offence should abound neuerthelesse where sin abounded there grace abounded much more 2. Cor. 12. 7. And lest I should be exalted out of measure c. there was giuen vnto me a pricke in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet me 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me 9. He said My grace is sufficient for thee 9 That all the workes of God are by contrarie meanes 2. Cor. 12. 9. My power is made perfect through weaknesse Lidia By the blessing of God I will not forget to practise these soueraigne remedies if Satan at any time seeke to take away my faith and to cut off this hand by which I must apply or to blindfold this eye by which I may behold Christ sitting at Gods right hand as Stephen did Let me heare I pray you the third assault and what it concerneth Paul The third assault is concerning Sanctification Lid. What is this temptation Paul The temptation is a prouoking to sinne according as the disposition of euery man and as occasion shall offer it selfe 1. Chron. 21. 1. And Satan stood vp against Israel and prouoked Dauid to number Israel Ioh. 13. 2. And when supper was done the diuell had now put into the heart of Iudas Iscariot Simons sonne to betray him Lid. Let me not be ignorant of Satans enterprises How will he allure to sinne Paul In this temptation the diuell doth wonderfully diminish and extenuate those sins which men are about to commit partly by obiecting closely the mercie of God and partly by couering or hiding the punishment which is due for the sin Besides there are helpes to further the diuell in this his temptation as first the flesh which lusteth against the spirit sometimes by begetting euill motions and affections and sometimes by ouerwhelming and oppressing the good intents and motions Gal. 5. 17. For the flesh lufteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrarie one to another so that ye cannot do the same things that ye would 19. Moreouer the workes of the flesh are manifest which are adulterie fornication vncleanenesse wantonnesse 20. Idolatrie witchcraft hatred debate emulations wrath contentions seditions heresies 21. Enuie murthers drunkennesse gluttonie and such like whereof I tell you before as I also haue told you before that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdome of God Iam. 1. 14. But euery man is tempted when he is drawne away by his owne concupiscence and is entised Secondly the world which bringeth men to disobedience through pleasure profite honour and euill examples Ephesians 2. 3. Among whom we also had our conuersation in time past in the lustes of the flesh in fulfilling the will of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath as well as others 1. Iohn 2. 16. For all that is in the world as the lusts of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world Lid. How may I resist this temptation Paul Resistance is made by the desire of the spirit which worketh good motions and affections in the faithfull and driueth foorth the euill Gal. 5. 22. But the fruite of the spirit is loue ioy peace long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith 23. Meekenesse temperancie against such there is no law 24. For they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts thereof 26. Let vs not be desirous of vaine glorie prouoking one another enuying one another Lid. Giue me here some preseruariues that I may resist Paul The preseruatiues are these 1 To account no sinne light or small Gal. 5. 9. Alitle leauen doth leauen the whole lumpe Rom. 6. 23. For the wages of sinne is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Iesus Christ our Lord. 2 To auoide all occasions of sinne To these rather agreeth the Prouerb vsed of the Plague longè tardè citò that is aloofe slowly quickly 1. Thessal 5. 22. Abstaine from all appearance of euill Iud. v. 23. And other saue with feare pulling them out of the fire and hate euen the garment spotted by the flesh 3 To accustome thy selfe to subdue the lesser sinnes that at the last thou maist also ouercome the greater Rom. 13. 4. 4. To apply thy selfe to thy appointed calling and alway to be busily occupied about something in the same 5 To oppose the law the iudgements of God the last iudgement the glorious presence of God and such like against the rebellion and loosenesse of the flesh Pro. 28 14. Blessed is the man that feareth alway but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into euill Gen. 39. 9. There is no man greater in this house then I neither hath he kept any thing from me but onely thee because thou art his wife how then can I do this great wickednesse and so sinne against God Lid. But alas I see Satan foyles me in many sins instruct me I pray you with some rules against them Say I be angrie vnaduisedly or desire to reuenge wrongs done vnto me how may I remedie this my sinne Paul Against vniust anger or priuate desire of reuenge Here meditate 1. iniuries they happen vnto vs by the Lords appointment for our good 2. Sam. 16. 10. 2. God of his great goodnesse forgiueth vs farre more sinnes then it is possible for vs to forgiue men 3. It is the dutie of Christian loue to forgiue others 4. We must not desire to destroy them whom Christ hath redeemed by his precious bloud 5. We our selues are in daunger of the wrath of God if we suffer our wrath to burne against our brother Forgiue saith he and it shall be forgiuen 6. We know not the circumstances of the facts what the mind was and purpose of them against whom we swell Bridles or externall remedies are these 1. in this we shall imitate the clemencie of the Lord who for a very great season doth often tolerate the wicked Learne of me for I am humble and meeke 2. There must be a pausing and time of delay betwixt our anger and the execution of the same Athenoâ—â—rus counselled Augustus that he being angrie
then must be my remedy Paul The remedie for this is subiection which must be made to the iudgement and censure of the brethren and Ministers Reuel 3. 15. I know thy workes that thou art neither cold nor hote I would thou werest cold or hote Gal. 6. 2. 1. Tim. 1. 20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I haue deliuered vnto Satan that they might learne not to blaspheme Lid. What is the second assault Paul The second assault is concerning faith Lid. How may one be thus assaulted Paul By an illusion which the Diuell casteth into the hearts of godly ones as when he saith Thou art not of the number of the elect thou art not iustified thou hast no faith thou must certainely be condemned for thy sinnes as Mat. 4. 3. Then came to him the tempter and said If thou be the Sonne of God command that these stones be made bread Now as he dealt with Christ so will he with Christians Lidia What helpes doth the Diuell abuse for the strengthening of such illusions as these Paul 1. He abuseth Aduersitie as dangers losses persecutions iealousie grieuous offences c. So in Dauid Psal. 73. 12. Loe these are the wicked yet prosper they alway and increase in riches 13. Certainely I haue cleansed mine heart in vaine and washed mine hands in innocencie In Iob 13. 23. How many art mine iniquities and sinnes Shew me my rebellion and my sinne 24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face and takest me for thine enemie 25. Will thou breake a leafe driuen to and fro and wilt thou pursue the drie stubble 2 The remembrance of sinnes past Iob 13. 26. For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth 3 A feeling of death euen alreadie at hand Lidia How may I withstand these Paul By a true faith applying Christ with all his merits particularly after this manner I assuredly beleeue that I shall not be condemned but that I am elected and iustified in Christ and am out of all doubt that all my sinnes are pardoned Esa. 53. 11. He shall see the trauell of his soule and shall be satisfied by his knowledge shall my righteous seruant iustifie many for he shall beare their iniquities Rom. 8. 38. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come 39. Nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Lidia Giue me a preseruatiue that I may resist Paul Your best preseruatiue is in temptation not to behold faith but the obiect of faith which is Christ. So did Paul Philip. 3. 12. Not as though I had alreadie attained vnto it either were alreadie perfect but I follow that I may comprehend that for whose sakâ— also I am comprehended of Christ Iesus 13. One thing I do I forget that which is behind and indeuour my selfe to that which is before 14. And follow hard toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus So must all Ioh. 3. 14. And as Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse so must the sonne of man be lift vp that he that beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Lid. What is my falling in this assault Paul Your falling is doubtfulnesse and distrust of your election of Gods mercie Psal. 77. 6. I called to remembrance my soâ—â— in the night I comâ—â—ned with mine own heart and my spirit searched diligently 7. Will in Lord absent himselfe for euer and will he shew no more fauour 8. Is his 〈◊〉 cleane gone for euer doth his promise faile for euermore So Dauid of himselfe saith Psalm 22. 1. My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and art so farre from my health and from the words of my roaring Lid. What is my remedie Paul The remedie is double First the operation of the holy Spirit stirring vp faith and increasing the same Philip. 1. 6. I am perswaded of this same thing that he that hath begunne this good worke in you will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ. Luk. 17. 5. And the Apostles said vnto the Lord Increase our faith The second is an holy meditation which is manifold 1 That it is the commandement of God that we should beleeue in Christ. 1. Ioh. 3. 23. This is then his commaundement that we beleeue in the name of his Sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another as he gaue commaundement 2 That the Euangelicall promises are indefinite and do exclude no man vnlesse peraduenture any man do exclude himselfe Esa 55. 1. Ho euery one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and ye that haue no siluer come buy and eate come I say buy wine and milke without siluer and without money Mat. 11. 28. Come vnto me all ye that are wearie and laden and I will ease you Ioh. 3. 15. That whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue eternall life Also the Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper do to euery one seuerally apply indefinite promises and therefore are very effectuall to enforce particular assurance or plerophorie of forgiuenesse of sinnes 3 That doubtfulnesse and despaire are most grieuous sinnes 4 That contrarie to hope men must vnder hope beleeue with Abraham Rom. 4. 18. Which Abraham aboue hope beleeued vnder hope that he should be the father of many nations according to that which was spoken to him So shall thy seed be 5 That the mercie of God and the merit of Christs obedience being both God and man are infinite Esa. 54. 10. For the mountaines shall remoue and the hils shall fall downe but my mercie shall not depart from thee neither shall my couenant of peace fall away saith the Lord that hath compassion on thee Psal. 103. 11. For as high as the heauen is aboue the earth so great is his mercie toward them that feare him 1. Ioh. 2. 1. My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust 2. And he is the reconciliation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but also for the sinnes of the whole world Psal. 137. 7. Let Israel waite on the Lord for the Lord is mercie and with him is great redemption 6 That God measureth the obedience due vnto him rather by the affection and desire to obey then by the act and performance of it Rom. 8. 5. For they that are after the flesh sauour the things of the flesh but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit 7. Because the wisedome of the flesh is enmitie against God for it is not subiect to the law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 7. 20. Now if I do that I would not it is no more I that do it but the sinne that dwelleth in me 21. I find
suggestions of Satan and the dulnesse of our owne flesh good Lord remoue these impediments and giue vs eueâ—â— â—ne grace to heare thy word in feare and â—â—uerence as in thy presence and to receiue the same not as from man but as from Iesus Christ and when we haue heard thy word graunt that it may be not the sauor of death to our deeper condemnation but the sauor of life to our eternall comfort and saluation For this cause write the same in euery one of our hearts and tranforme vs into the obedience of the same in our life and conuersation And because Satan is a deadly enemie to the ministerie of thy word good Lord confound Satan dissolue in euery one of vs the cursed workes of the Diuel worke thine owne good works shew thy selfe more merciful in blessing of thy word then Satan is or can be malicious in hindring of the same Heare vs we beseech thee in these requests and graunt these graces to euery one of vs not for our owne merits for vnto vs belongeth nothing but eternall shame and confusion for our sinnes but for the merites of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ in whom thou art well pleased to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be giuen of euery one of vs all praise honor and glory both now and for euermore Amen The voice of a person 1. Carnall of Euill I do it and will do Good I do it not nor will do 2. Regenerate of Euill I do it but would not do it Good I do not that I would 3. Glorified of Euill I do it not neither 〈◊〉 I do it Good I do it and will do it To the right Honorable and vertuous Ladies the Countesse of Cumberland and the Countesse of Warwicke grace and peace RIght Honorable in the former 〈◊〉 is the combat of Christ in this latter is set downe the combat of a Christian. He that fought with our head will fight with the members and he that assaulted Christ will assaile all Christians But Christ did beare troubles and was borne out of them we must haue troubles and shall be borne out of them If our afflictions were plagues as to the Egyptians curses as to Cham destruction as to Sodome desolation as to Israel then had we cause to flie from them as Moses did from that miraculous serpent But since they are but the trials of faith corrections of a father visitations from the Bishop of our soules since they are as Phlebotomie to a Pleurisie and a purgation to a Plethora they are to be endured with all patience How Christ did endure them you may reade in that Treatise how a Christian must you may see in this The former Treatise I presented to your honorable brother this latter to you most honorable sisters I desired to annex this to the former discourse because it is sutable to that present argument and I know not to whom I may better present it then to you who haue experience of this Christian warfare If it please you but to reade these holy meditations and to entertaine this poore mite into your rich treasury by the reading I doubt not but you shal haue much comfort and by your entertaining the church shal haue much good Now that good God who hath giuen your mind to know him giue you also an heart to loâ— him and as you are Honorable in the eyes of this world so he make you most honorable in the eyes of his Maiestie And thus crauing pardon I commit you to the grace of that God who will honor them that loue him and comfort them that seeke comfort from him Your Honors in the Lord Robert Hill A comfort for the feeble minded wherein is set downe that spirituall combat which is betwixt a Christian and Satan Lidia SIr I heard you with much comfort when you preached vpon the temptations of Christ. I pray you instruct me concerning the temptations of a Christian and giue me leaue to aske you certaine questicâ—s Paul Say on Lidia What is it which we call Christiâ—â— warfare Paul Christian warfare is concerning the right way of fighting in the spirituall battel Lidia Which be the parts thereof Paul The parts thereof are the preparation to battell and the combat it selfe Lidia How may I prepare my self vnto it Paul To the preparation you must vse the complete armor of God Eph. 6. 13. For this cause take vnto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to resist in the euill day and hauing finished all things stand fast Lidia How many parts hath this armor Paul The parts thereof are especially six 1. truth 2. iustice 3. Euangelicall obedience 4. faith 5. the word of God 6. continuall and feruent prayer with watching as you may reade Eph. 6. 14. Stand fast therefore your loynes girded about with veritie and hauing oâ— the brest-plate of righteousnesse 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 16. Aboue all take the shield of Faith wherewith ye may quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. And take the helmet of saluation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God 18. And pray alwayes with all maner of prayer and supplication in the spirit and watch thereunto with al perseuerance and supplication for all Saints 1. Pet. 5. 8. Be sober and watch for your aduersarie the diuel as a roring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may deuoure Lidia What then is the combat Paul The combat is a mutuall conflict of them that fight spiritually Lidia Who are the warriors Paul The warriors are the tempter and the Christian souldier Ephes. 6. 12. For we wrastle not against flesh and bloud but against principalities against powers and against the worldly gouernors the princes of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesses which are in high places Lidia Whom call you the tempter Paul The tempter is the Prince or his helpers The Prince is Satan and his Angels which are spirituall wickednesses in high things His helpers are the flesh and the world Lid. What is the conflict of these warriors Paul The conflict of all these is temptation whereby a man is prouoked to commit such wickednesse as is hurtfull to the saluation of his soule 1. Pet. 2. 11. Dearely beloued I beseech you as strangers and pilgrimes abstaine from fleshly lustes which fight against the soule Lidia What must I note in this Christian souldier Paul In the souldier two things are to be considered his resisting and his fall Lidia VVhat is his resistance Paul Resistance is an action whereby the souldier doth withstand temptation through grace working inwardly in him 1. Iohn 2. 14. I write vnto you babes because ye haue knowne the Father I haue written to you fathers because ye haue knowne him that is from the beginning I haue written to you yong men because ye are strong and the word of God abideth in you and ye haue ouercome the wicked 1. Pet. 5.